Arizona DOT receives federal grant to study low-carbon paving materials

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has received a $27 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to study low-carbon pavement materials.

The grant will be used to develop a research program on the use of these low-carbon materials in future highway improvement projects, with potential projects being identified as part of the study process over the next several years.

ADOT says the research will allow them to integrate environmentally friendly processes into paving projects, such as the use of reclaimed asphalt and recycled concrete pavement.

The department will work alongside representatives from FHWA, the construction industry and universities on researching low-carbon materials and any program processes to get them to a test phase.

ADOT will also create a steering committee to guide the planning and administration of the low-carbon materials implementation program.

The project is designed to foster collaboration with highway builders, including pavement plant operators and contractors, to develop a process for evaluating pollution reduction, improving energy efficiency and producing durable, low-carbon pavements.

The funding from FHWA comes from the federal Inflation Reduction Act, which includes a Low-Carbon Transportation Materials Program.

Photo by Tom Shamberger